The World Happiness Report 2025

Source: HT

Context: The World Happiness Report 2025 was released recently, ranking countries based on happiness levels.

• India ranked 118th out of 147 countries, while Finland topped the list for the eighth consecutive year.

About World Happiness Report 2025:

• What it is:

• An annual global report that ranks countries based on life satisfaction and happiness levels of their citizens. It reflects how people evaluate their quality of life, using statistical data and public perception.

• An annual global report that ranks countries based on life satisfaction and happiness levels of their citizens.

• It reflects how people evaluate their quality of life, using statistical data and public perception.

• Report released by:

• Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford. Released in collaboration with Gallup, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board.

• Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford.

• Released in collaboration with Gallup, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board.

• Criteria Used for Ranking: The report uses six key indicators:

• The report uses six key indicators:

• GDP per capita – economic strength of a country. Healthy life expectancy – average life span in good health. Social support – availability of help from family or friends. Freedom – perceived freedom to make life choices. Generosity – willingness of people to help others. Perception of corruption – trust in public institutions.

• GDP per capita – economic strength of a country.

• Healthy life expectancy – average life span in good health.

• Social support – availability of help from family or friends.

• Freedom – perceived freedom to make life choices.

• Generosity – willingness of people to help others.

• Perception of corruption – trust in public institutions.

• Aim of the Report:

• To measure global well-being and contentment. To promote policy focus on mental health, social trust, and quality of life beyond just economic growth.

• To measure global well-being and contentment.

• To promote policy focus on mental health, social trust, and quality of life beyond just economic growth.

• Key Summary of Report:

• Trends in Global Happiness

• Western and Nordic countries continue to dominate top ranks. New entries into the top 10 include Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th). The United States and United Kingdom dropped to 24th and 23rd positions respectively due to rising loneliness and discontent.

• Western and Nordic countries continue to dominate top ranks.

• New entries into the top 10 include Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th).

• The United States and United Kingdom dropped to 24th and 23rd positions respectively due to rising loneliness and discontent.

• Global Ranking – Top 3 Nations: Finland (Topper – 1st), Denmark (2nd) and Iceland (3rd).

• Bottom 3 Nations: Afghanistan (147th), Sierra Leone, and Lebanon.

• India’s Ranking and Statistics:

• India ranked 118th out of 147 countries. Score improved from 4.054 (2021-23) to 4.389 (2022-24). Ranked below Pakistan (109) and Nepal (92). Strength: High social support due to family structures and community bonds. Weakness: Lowest score in perceived freedom, showing limited individual choice satisfaction.

• India ranked 118th out of 147 countries.

• Score improved from 4.054 (2021-23) to 4.389 (2022-24). Ranked below Pakistan (109) and Nepal (92).

• Ranked below Pakistan (109) and Nepal (92).

• Strength: High social support due to family structures and community bonds.

• Weakness: Lowest score in perceived freedom, showing limited individual choice satisfaction.